Diamond Harbour

On the Southern side of Lyttelton Harbour, Diamond Harbour is made up of several distinctive bays such as Charteris Bay, Hays Bay, Church Bay and Purau Bay.

The immediate foreshore varies from flat land to deep gullies covered in exotic flowering plants and trees while side spurs formed by lava flows rise up to the peaks of Mt Bradley, Mt Herbert and Mt Evans.

Ripapa Island(external link) in the harbour has an interesting history. The site was once occupied by Maori and since the 19th century has been a quarantine station, prison, and eventually a fort where the old gun emplacements can still be seen.

Diamond Harbour offers many recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, cycling and walking. The area is accessible by car but there's nothing nicer than catching the Diamond Harbour Ferry(external link) on a nice summer's day - you might even spot some native Hector's Dolphins playing in the wake.